A26892:2550
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 7 › Tit. 3. Directions against sinful Desires and Discontent.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 16. Direct. 14. In all your Desires remember the account as well as the thing desired. Think1 not only what it is now at hand, but what account you must make to God of it: For to whom men give or commit much, of them they require the more, Luk. 12. 48. will you thirst after more power, more honour, more wealth, when you remember that you have the more to give account of? Matth. 25. Have you not enough to reckon for already, unless you had hearts to use it better?
- 1Direct. 14.
§. 17. Direct. 15. Keep your selves close to the holy use of all your mercies, and let not the fl•sh 1devour them, nor any inordinate appetite fare ever the better for them when you have them, and this will powerfully extinguish the inordinate desire it self. We are in little danger of being over eager after things spiritual and holy, for the honour of God: Resolve therefore that all you have shall be thus sanctified to God, and used for him, and not at all to satisfy any inordinate desire of the fl•sh, and then the fl•sh will cease its suit, when it finds it fares never the better for it. You are able to do much in this way if you will. If you cannot presently suppress the Desire, you may presently resolve to deny the flesh the thing desired, (As David would not drink the water, though he longed for it, 2 Sam. 23. 15, 17.) and you may presently deny it, the more of that you have? If you cannot forbear your thirst, you can forbear to drink: If you cannot forbear to be hungry, you can forbear to eat whatever is forbidden or unfit: If Eve must needs have an appetite to the forbidden fruit, yet she might have commanded her hand and teeth, and not have eaten it. If you cannot otherwise cool your Desire of curious Apparel, wear that which is somewhat homelier than else you would have worn, on purpose to rebuke and control that desire: If you cannot otherwise quench your Covetous desires, give so much the more to the poor to cross that desire. You cannot say that the outward act is out of your power, if you be but willing.